Paint roller



Dec. 12, 1967 c. M. KAPLAN 3,357,037

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United States Patent Ofifice 3,357,037 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 3,357,037 PAINT ROLLER Charles M. Kaplan, 225 Powell, Clarendon Hills, Ill. 60514 Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,400 12 Claims. (Cl. 15-23011) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A paint roller includes a sphere housed in one of its ends for spacing such end from a surface that intersects the surface being painted; neither surface need be flat and the surfaces need not intersect at right angles.

This invention relates to paint rollers having means for spacing such rollers from a surface extending at an angle to the surface to which paint is being applied.

When using a roller to paint surfaces which intersect, such as at the corner of the walls of a house, it is often necessary to keep the end of the roller from contacting the surface which is at an angle to the surface being painted. This will prevent the end of the roller from marring such adjacent surface, or from spreading unwanted paint on such adjacent surface when it is a different color or has a different finish, such as wallpaper, Heretofore, the most satisfactory means used to space paint rollers from adjacent surfaces have employed circular wheels which are rotatable only in a single plane when contacting the adjacent angled surface. This necessitated that such wheels be spaced from and supported separately from the rotating paint applying element. The Wheel supporting structures often got in the way and hampered the painter; and the wheel supporting structures were easily broken or bent and were disproportionally expensive, especially if they were adjustable.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide improved means for spacing a paint roller from a surface adjacent to the surface being painted that does not possess defects of similar prior art devices.

Another object is to provide a spacer for paint rollers that does not require supporting structure other than the rotating paint applying element.

Another object is to provide a spacer for paint rollers that is simultaneously movable in several directions.

Another object is to provide a spacer for paint rollers that is easily removable for cleaning and repair.

Another object is to provide a paint roller having spacer means that permits easy adjustment between the roller and a surface adjacent to the surface being painted.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the drawing, specification, and claims, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the claims.

Briefly stated, according to one aspect of my invention a paint roller is spaced from a surface at an angle to the surface being painted by universally movable means supported by a rotatable paint applying element. In the preferred embodiment the universally movable means comprises a sphere freely movable in and protruding from a spherical cavity in the end of a brush supporting cylinder.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a paint roller in accord with the teachings of my invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the roller of FIG. 1 taken generally along line 22.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken generally along line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of a member 45 from the embodiment of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a paint roller 10 according to my invention applying paint to a first surface 11 and being spaced from a second surface 12 that is perpendicular to surface 11. Roller 10 includes rotatable paint applying means 15 and means 16 for actuating or propelling the paint applying means. Actuating means 16 includes a handle 17, a portion 18 extending laterally beyond one end of means 15, and an axle portion 19 passing into means 15. Spacer means 20 protrudes beyond the opposite end of means 15 and spaces roller 10 from surface 12.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the structure of paint applying means 15 and my novel spacing means 20 in greater detail. Paint applying means 15 includes a sleeve 21 of material, such as sponge-like plastic or brush-like fabric, that absorbs and spreads paint. Sleeve 21 is frictionally held on and movable with rotatable support means 22. Preferably, sleeve 21 is sliclable along and removable from rotatable means 22, although in some embodiments elements 21 and 22 may be permanently secured to each other. Rotatable means 22 includes a tubular portion 23 for supporting sleeve 21, and bearing portions 24 secured to the opposite ends of portion 23; only one bearing por tion 24 is illustrated in order to simplify the drawing. Bearing portions 24 rotatably receive axle portion 19 so that means 15 is rotatable around axle portion 19 in the conventional manner.

Spacer means 20 comprises means 29 defining a spherical cavity 30 of predetermined radius at the end of means 15 opposite from portion 18. Cavity defining means 29 is truncated to define a circular orifice 31 of predetermined radius opening into cavity 30. A sphere 32 of predetermined radius is freely movable in all directions in cavity 30, and hence sphere 32 is universally movable. A portion of sphere 32 protrudes through orifice 31 beyond the end of roller 10 for contacting surface 12 and spacing the roller therefrom.

The radius of sphere 32 is smaller than the radius of cavity 30, and this permits sphere 32 to move and to rotate in any direction; this also permits sphere 32 to move and to rotate in several direction simultaneously. Thus, as roller 10 is moving along surface 11 with sphere 32 contacting surface 12, sphere 32 can be caused to rotate in one plane along with means 15 by its frictional contact with cavity 30, while simultaneously sphere 32 can be caused to rotate in a different plane by its frictional contact with surface 12. This enables sphere 32 to be supported by and to be movable with rotating paint applying means 15. Therefore, supporting means independent of means 15 are not necessary. Furthermore, sphere 32 is in rotating point contact with surface 12 and, therefore, sphere 32 will not scrape or otherwise mar surface 12.

The diameter of orifice 31 is smaller than the diameter (i.e., twice the radius) of sphere 32. This prevents sphere 32 from escaping from cavity 30; thus, the portion 33 of cavity defining means 29 where the radius of cavity 30 is smaller than the radius of sphere 32 defines means for retaining sphere 32 in its cavity.

My preferred way of defining cavity 30 is for means 29 to comprise a pair of identical abutting members 35, with each member having a notch that is shaped as half of the required cavity. Thus, when corresponding faces 36 of members 35 contact each other, the notches will be aligned to define cavity 30. A notch of the required shape (a truncated hemisphere) may be formed in each member 35 by casting members 35 in a mold of suitable shape, or by drilling with a spherical cutter. Members 35 may be made from any suitable material such as metal or plastic.

Preferably, each member 35 is removably attached to hearing member 24 by releasable fasteners such as screws 37, and members 35 should not be attached to each other.

This enables removal and complete dismantling of spacer means for cleaning or repair. Also, when members 35 are removable and separable from each other, sphere 32 can be made from a non-deformable material such as a metal, a rigid plastic, or glass. It is also possible to hold members 35 in place without releasable fasteners or screws by providing a tight friction fit between members 35 and sleeve 21. In other embodiments, members 35 can be permanently secured to each other or to hearing portion 24 by bonding after sphere 32 is placed in its cavity; in this case it is preferable to make sphere 32 from a deformable resilient material such as rubber or polyethylene. This permits insertion and removal of sphere 32 from cavity even though members are permanently secured to each other or to portion 24.

The distance sphere 32 protrudes beyond roller 10 will depend on the relative radii of sphere 32, orifice 31 and cavity 30. However, the distance spacing roller 10 from surface 12 can be varied easily by Sliding sleeve 21 along tubular portion 23. Thus, the distance between the paint applying surface and the surface 12 may be made greater or lesser than the distance sphere 32 protrudes beyond roller 1% FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of my invention which is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 except as described hereafter. A plurality of, and preferably three, identical spheres are each contained in separate identical spherical cavities 41 in an tion 42 of a rotatable paint applying member. Cavities 41 are substantially equally spaced from each other. Spheres 40 protrude through the orifices 43 of their respective cavities so as to contact surface 12, and the function and operation of the roller and its spacer means are the same as described with regard to FIGS. 1-3. However, an additional advantage is achieved by using a plurality of spheres 40 because this makes the spacer means contact surface 12 at a plurality of spaced points. This helps prevent inadvertent pivoting of handle 17 so as to move a tip of the end of the paint spreader into contact with surface 12; such an accident is more likely to occur withthe embodiment of FIGS. 13 because the single sphere 32 of that embodiment makes only single point contact with surface 12.

The preferred construction of portion 42 is similar to portion 29 in that a plurality of identical members 45 have abutting faces 46 with truncated hemispherical notches 47; alignment of corresponding notches 47 on mating faces 46 of the respective members 45 defines the cavities 41, Each member 45 is essentially pie-shaped and there is Such a notch in both opposed faces 46 of each member 45. Thus, the number of members 45 required will be the same as the number of cavities to be defined.

It has thus been shown that by the practice of my invention unitary structure is provided for spacing a paint roller from an adjacent surface. The use of universally movable means, such as a sphere supported by the rotating paint applying element itself, eliminates the need for expensive and cumbersome auxiliary supporting elements, and also reduces the possibilities of the spacing means marring the adjacent surface.

Although the forms of the invention shown and described herein constitute preferred embodiments, it is not intended to illustrate all of the equivalent forms or ramifications thereof. Also, the words used are words of description rather than limitation, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A paint roller comprising a rotatable paint-absorbing member for applying paint to a first surface, means for supporting said member, means for actuating said member being connected to and extending beyond one end porend of said member, and means for preventing said member from contacting a second surface at an angle to said first surface comprising means freely movable in any direction and also freely rotatable in any direction supported within said member and having a portion thereof extending beyond the opposite end of said member for contacting said second surface while paint is being applied to said first surface.

2. A paint roller comprising paint absorbing and spreading means, a rotatable member supporting said paint absorbing and spreading means, and means for propelling said member, there being cavity means having an orifice at one end of said member, and spherical means universally movable in said cavity means and having a portion thereof protruding through said orifice beyond said end of said member, said spherical means being adapted to space said paint absorbing and spreading means from a surface that extends at an angle to a surface to which paint is being applied by said paint absorbing and spreading means.

3. A paint roller as defined in claim 2 in which said spherical means comprises a plurality of separate spheres, and each sphere is universally movable in a separate cavity.

4. A rotatable paint roller for applying paint to a first surface, comprising means for absorbing and spreading paint, means for supporting said paint absorbing and spreading means, and means for propelling said paint absorbing and spreading means; and means for spacing said paint absorbing and spreading means from a second surface which extends at an angle to said first surface, said spacing means comprising means defining a cavity having an orifice adjacent one end of said paint absorbing and spreading means, a sphere freely movable in said cavity and having a portion extending through said orifice and beyond said end for abutting against said second surface so as to space said paint absorbing and spreading means from said second surface, and means for retaining said sphere in said cavity.

5. A paint roller as cavity is spherical.

6. A rotatable paint-absorbing roHer for applying paint to a first surface, means supporting said roller, and means for propelling said roller extending beyond one end thereof, and means for spacing the opposite end of said roller from a second surface which extends at an angle to said first surface, said spacing means comprising a portion of said supporting means adjacent said opposite end having a spherical cavity of predetermined radius therein, said portion being truncated to define an orifice for said cavity, a sphere universally movable in said cavity, said sphere having a radius smaller than that of said cavity and protruding through said orifice beyond said opposite end for contacting said second surface and spacing said roller therefrom, and said orifice being smaller than twice said radius of said sphere in order to retain said sphere in said cavity.

7. A paint roller as defined in claim 6 in which said portion comprises a pair of removable abutting members, each having a substantially identical notch, and said notches being aligned to define said cavity.

8. A rotatable paint-absorbing roller for applying paint to a first surface, means supporting said roller, and means for propelling said roller extending beyond one end thereof, and means for spacing the opposite end of said roller from a second surface which extends at an angle to said first surface, said spacing means comprising means defining a cavity adjacent said opposite end of said roller, means defining an orifice of predetermined size for said cavity, a sphere having a radius of predetermined size being universally movable in said cavity and protruding through said orifice beyond said opposite end for contacting said second surface and spacing said roller therefrom, and said orifice being smaller than twice said radius of said sphere in order to retain said sphere in said cavity.

defined in claim 4, wherein said 9. A rotatable paint roller for applying paint to a first surface, means supporting said roller and extending beyond one end thereof, and means for spacing the opposite end of said roller from a second surface which extends at an angle to said first surface, said spacing means comprising a portion of said roller adjacent said opposite end having therein a plurality of spherical cavities of substantially identical radius, said portion being truncated to define an orifice for each cavity, a plurality of substantially identical spheres each being universally movable in one of said cavities, each sphere having a radius smaller than that of its cavity and protruding through the orifice of its cavity beyond said opposite end for contacting said second surface and spacing said roller therefrom, and each orifice being smaller than twice the radius of its associated sphere in order to retain each sphere in its cavity.

10. A paint roller as defined in claim 9 in which said cavities are spaced substantially equal distances from each other.

11. A paint roller as defined in claim 10 in which there are three cavities.

12. A paint roller as defined in claim 9 in which said portion comprises a plurality of substantially identical, abutting, pie-shaped members removably attached to said roller, said members each having a substantially identical notch in its opposed faces, and the notches on adjacent members being aligned to define said cavities and orifices,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 616,411 12/1898 Dimmitt 16-26 1,075,685 10/1913 Bennett 16-26 1,641,127 8/1927 Denslow. 3,109,755 11/1963 Stanley 118-207 X 3,213,477 10/1965 Shafer 15-230.l1 X

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PAINT ROLLER COMPRISING A ROTATABLE PAINT-ABSORBING MEMBER FOR APPLYING PAINT TO A FIRST SURFACE, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID MEMBER, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID MEMBER BEING CONNECTED TO AND EXTENDING BEYOND ONE END OF SAID MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR PREVENTING SAID MEMBER FROM CONTACTING A SECOND SURFACE AT AN ANGLE TO SAID FIRST SURFACE COMPRISING MEANS FREELY MOVABLE IN ANY DIRECTION AND ALSO FREELY ROTATABLE IN ANY DIRECTION SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID MEMBER AND HAVING A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING BEYOND THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID MEMBER FOR CONTACTING SAID SECOND SURFACE WHILE PAINT IS BEING APPLIED TO SAID FIRST SURFACE. 